i love the video. shot at my house, at the whig and on main st. columbia, sc. directed by my man ryan cockrell. hope you enjoy it.
here’s the youtube link too.
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sup yall? more stuff from the foreign exchange camp. frequent collaborator, band member and producer Zo! releases a free ep today of covers. here’s the info that phonte himself left on okayplayer.com:
Friends and Family,
We are proud to present the new EP of covers from our longtime friend, collaborator, and bandmate Zo!, “…just visiting too.”
Tracklisting:
1. Perfect Angel feat. Yahzarah
2. Nights Over Egypt feat. Carlitta Durand
3. Crazy You feat. Sy Smith
4. Holding You, Loving You
5. My Flame feat. Phonte
6. Somethin Special feat. Yahzarah
7. The Highways of My Life (Pts. 1&2) feat. Darien Brockington
Working on this record has been a labor of love for everybody involved, and we hope it serves as a teaser for Zo’s upcoming full-length “SunStorm,” dropping next summer on FE Music.
Enclosed in the “…just visiting too” zip file is a digital pdf booklet complete with all the album credits, information on the album’s vocalists and contributors, as well as information on the originals.
Enjoy the music, pass it around to a friend, and as always thank you for the support.
We hope this record makes your transition into the holiday season much easier. Thank you for listening.
Team FE marches on!
One Love,
‘Te and Nic
hope yall enjoy it as i’m sure i will as i upload it to my ipod this second. and speaking of ipods (i.e. podcasts) don’t forget to download the latest blutopia podcast 5.
enjoy.
SCHiphop.com Featured Artist buy it now here
Preach Jacobs has been involved in the arts scene in South Carolina for quite sometime. Being a published author at age 15 and getting just as much acclaim for his photography and journalism as his music, Preach now comes full circle with his latest project “Maple St. Sessions” being released by London based R2 records this fall. Despite the accolades and attention he’s been getting working with some high profile artists in his past and near future, one thing is for certain: Preach acts as if it never happened.
“I’ve recently realized that I can’t be happy unless I’m working. I’m always writing or creating something because if I didn’t, I would be bored out of my mind.”
In the past few months, Preach has had much on his plate to stray away from boredom. He’s toured Japan back in April and plans on hitting up London this November in support of the new project “Maple St. Sessions.” An eight-song ep that is full of soul, maturity, happiness, heartbreak and hope.
On the song “Falling,” Preach addresses the tensions of love describing it as “learning to fly while you’re falling.” A song that very easily could end with love stinks, but Preach takes a different approach of acknowledging that shit happens, but moves forward anyway (with a Dilla dedication at the end that true heads will recognize).
“I believe that one of the worst things you can do in this type of business is to half-assed about anything. There was a small part in the movie ‘Amistad’ where Mathew McConaughey’s character was trying to tell Djimon Hounsou’ character that he ‘meant’ to do something. And the translator told him that there isn’t a way to translate the word meant in that language, either you do something or you don’t. My bank account sucks ass and yet I found a way to go to Japan. I know things get scary, but I’ve always told myself to not let the possibility of failure to dominate the hopes of success. You have to be that way. I don’t have a click or a crew to blow my head up all the time, so you have to be self motivated. If you’re not, fuck it, stop the music or whatever your passion maybe and go get a regular 9 to 5.”
“Maple St. Sessions” is another example of Preach going overseas to work with producers, with him collaborating with U.K. producer Denz. Denz’s style of production compliments Preach’s arrangements with his soulful-boom-bap sensibilities showing growth in Preach’s work since his debut album “Garveyism.”
Preach also recruited old time collaborator Clokwork for two of the ep’s cuts including “Oh Yes,” an afro-beat masterpiece that involves call and response and energy that a Fela show in the 70s might offer.
The song is the perfect opener for the ep, as Preach tends to do something that rappers seem to avoid these days: Have fun.
“I remember listening to that J.Period mixtape he did with all the Q-Tip music, and Tip said some great shit. He was talking about how Tribe’s music will always be important and people will gravitate to it because they were always honest and had fun. I remember growing up and seeing the ‘Buddy’ video and wishing that I could just hang with those< dudes. I love to use the music to speak out against injustices and frustrations but at the end of the day, if I don’t love doing this, then why am I torturing myself? Why spend all this money on pressing up cds, going to different cities and sleeping on people’s couches. There has to be a love for it, and for the people that don’t have it,
they’ll leave alone quick. I want to be in this for the long run.”
Other songs like the “Cool Out Remix” (original version is off of “Garveyism” produced by Nicolay) done by Denz is another ode to the obvious jazz-theme surrounding the record. Also, “Forest Whitaker” shows Preach at his most aggressive simply rapping. But I wonder, why call the song “Forest Whitaker”?
“What I love about that song, or just the ep in general is that it was organic. Denz and I didn’t really think about putting together a project, we were just working on music. Casually doing it, and I think that brings the best foot forward. When he sent me the “Forest Whitaker” beat I just felt like rhyming. Nothing about fight the power or on some mellow shit that people usually expect from me, I just wanted to rhyme. I mean, can a nigga have both a Tribe record and a M.O.P. record in their collection? I just thought the title would just be cool calling it ‘Forest Whitaker’ as if to say that rappers are all actors. If you’re going to be an actor, be a good one. Forest is that dude. I was just having fun and I think you can hear it on the record.”
In today’s musical climate it’s hard to be an emcee. The game is over saturated not to mention the digital age is killing major labels left and right. So, it must be a blessing that Preach isn’t just a rapper but a journalist, photographer and even is at the helm of his own comic strip published worldwide. Yet, none of this seems to effect Preach’s demeanor who doesn’t see the glass as half-full.
“There’s tons of stuff that I want to do. I just want to make a living out of what makes me happy. Something that I believe we’re suppose to do. I want my music to reflect what I do, and how I am. I don’t want to just be an emcee but I want people to feel it worthy to invest time and energy into whatever I do. My site isn’t a site for just my music, it’s full of shit I think is dope, articles and interview I do with other artists and more. Nowadays you have to be that way. People aren’t investing in a cd, they’re investing in you as a person. And people respond to what that are familiar with. I’m just like them.”
what’s going on yall? this is preach with a little update on some things. first off, i’m proud to tell you guys about an interview i did with usoul magazine (check out the interview here). it’s based out of atlanta and is getting great attention. you can also check out my contributions as a writer as well as i interviewed dezaray dawn with the article ‘mo’ betta soul.’ you can read the entire issue of usoul mag issue two here.
also, i just got done doing the record report radio show w/ dj kingpin and dirty dickens this morning. you can watch the entire video stream through ustream. you can watch the video directly: part 1 and part 2. that’s it for now. more to come bidges!
sup yall? i’m in atlanta getting ready for these shows we got coming this weekend and wanted to share this video of me finally catching up w/ dj vadim. we’re working on some stuff with some other incredible indy artists (like superape and sweet irene). more stuff coming up. ez
i know it’s been a minute since the last podcast installment, and for those of you that’s been waiting (probably just two of ya) i apologize. i had this done a couple of months ago but had some issues with my laptop and just got a new one, so now i’m back in business. the podcast is composed and hosted by me. the pic is a pic i took on my trip to japan and i kind of got that feeling all over again when putting the music together. i didn’t get a chance to have all the volume leveled out with all the songs, but i say fuck it. take it as is. hope you enjoy.
i’m on the road and don’t have the tracklisting with me right now but i’ll be sure to update it later today. i’ll just say it features new music from eric roberson, diamond district, raekwon, preach jacobs & denz and more. pass it around.
UPDATE: tracklisting:
1.intro
2.Diamond District-I Mean Business
3.How Could She Do It-Eric Roberson
4.Have Mercy-Raekwon f. Beanie Sigel, Blue Raspberry
5.Falling-Preach Jacobs & Denz
6.Kissing U-Isabella Du Graf (prod. by The One)
7.It’s Jay Are-J Rawls and John Robinson
8.Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out-Mayer Hawthorne
9.So Ambitious-Jay-Z & Pharrell
10.Interlude
11.Auditorium-Mos Def & Slick Rick
12.Breathe Easy (Juicebox rmx)-Preach Jacobs
13.Bone Song-SA RA
14.Can’t Look Down-Dezaray Dawn
15.Koolie Is High-Koolie High
16.Love Never Felt So Good-Michael Jackson
word be bond, d’angelo’s ‘voodoo’ is my favorite album. i often tell people it’s the greatest record made since i was born. agree or disagree, it’s my frickin opinion. my debut ‘garveyism’ was highly inspired by the almost 10-year-old d’angelo album. it felt like a vintage soul record. the warm analogue feel. the sequencing. the lack of digital perfection. full of flaws and emotion.
so, when i came across this post on okayplayer.com by someone who simply goes by the name chris p talking about a beat tape he made full of d’angelo samples, i decided to post it on here asap.
i haven’t heard it yet (cuz i’m downloading it now) but if it’s wack i’ll find his email address so you can harrass him. but something tells me that if you need his info, it’ll be to praise him. don’t say i never gave yall nuthin.
Download: “Smack Yo Ass Pull Your Hair” now
thanks to who ever it was that sent this link to me, i really appreciate it. didn’t know anything about the site but qaulity time online is a site dedicated to dutch soul (and beyond obviously).
denz and i are featured on their latest download called soul for free vol. 3. here’s the complete tracklisting:
Apathy ft Phonte – True love
Bama & The Family – Feeling good
Bronx River Parkway – Donde
Chrisette Michele ft Wale – Fragile
Cobe Obeah – Soul rebel
D.Black ft Vitamin D – Keep on going
DJ JS ft CL Smooth Grnad Puba & Sadat X – Nuthin’
DJ Mitsu ft Jose James – Promise I love
Goapele – Milk & honey
Lee Fields & The Expressions – Honey dove
Lee Fields & The Expressions – Problems [Non album track]
Nicolay ft Carlitta Durand – Lose your way
Paten Locke – Break thru
Phil Nash & DJ Jazzy Jeff – Hip hop ish
Preach Jacobs & Denz – Falling
Quincy Bright – Stay the night
The Years – Let’s stay in love
Tony Ozier – Futuristic soul
Unified Tribe – Guilty
Download “Soul For Free Vol. 3″ here and for those that didn’t peep the interview with The Find Magazine yall can read it here.
also, there’s been some shows that have been cancelled and added.
first off the oct. 22nd show in charlotte, nc has been cancelled as well as oct. 31st in columbia, sc and nov. 2nd in columbia, sc. sorry folks but it’s all for good reason. you can still check us out at these shows coming up (some featured with me and the secret b-sides):
10/24/09 Mood’s Music Maple St. Sessions Listening Party w/ Dezaray Dawn (Atlanta, GA) VIEW FLYER
10/25/09 Apache Cafe w/ Secret B-Sides (Atlanta, GA) VIEW FLYER
10/30/09 Emerald Lounge w/ The Secret B-Sides (Asheville, NC) VIEW FLYER
10/31/09 The Elbow Room w/ The Secret B-Sides (Columbia, SC
also, london dates for november are coming soon, so keep your eyes open. and be sure to check the tour/shows/events section for all updates. ez
The Find Magazine interview with Preach Jacobs
Sometimes you get in touch with an artist and you just know you’ll hear a lot more of him in the (near) future. Preach Jacobs is one of them. Next to his solo efforts, he collaborates with artists as Marc Mac (4Hero) and Denz and brings honest music with a very fresh vibe. Asher Roth and B.o.B. in XXL’s Class of ‘09? Forget about them. Preach Jacobs is definitely in our “Class of 2010″.
Preview: Preach Jacobs & Denz – Falling
Can you explain to readers who don’t know you yet, why they should listen to Preach Jacobs?
Should is such a strong word. I guess what I could say is that, I believe that I’m the type of artist I would love to listen to. People support what they relate to, and I feel the music responds to the common man, the average person dealing with the same stuff I’m dealing with. Trying to pay bills, falling in love with chicks that give you headaches, having a dream, these are the things the average listener goes through that I don’t think enough hip-hop artists do when they get to a certain point. I mean, how many of us can relate to an artist having a million dollar chain? Huge house? Shit, most of the listeners are like me: Trying to stay above water.
sup guys? the “maple st. sessions” cds are here and we’re ready to get them on and popping for you guys. the digital release is oct. 27th and we’re powering the cd sales with some special gifts coutesy of schiphop.com. you can pre-order the cds now and for $10 you’ll get the “maple st. sessions” cd + autograph + exclusive sampler titled “introducing preach jacobs” that will include remixes and goodies you won’t find anywhere else. (there’s also a deal to get both “maple st. sessions” and “garveyism” for $15).
at any rate, order them now because ya boy preach is trying to go across the pond to london town and every little bit helps. well, aside from that order it because it’s a damn good record. order it and let me know what you think about the record. we have more shows coming up in support of the project and we’ll keep you all tuned.
Pre-Order “Maple St. Sessions” + autograph packaged deal now
